What do we offer?

Whether you’re seeking more time with your midwife, a convenient and thorough antenatal class, or a second opinion on a specific issue, the midwives clinic is here to help. Our expert midwives provide top quality maternity care in your own home – underpinned by the latest available research. We offer flexible, generous appointments during your pregnancy and after the birth, taking the time to work with you as an individual.

You may access us just once to discuss a particular concern, or make us your main care provider through your pregnancy and early parenthood. At present we do not offer birth care, though this may change in the future – please check this site regularly for updates on our services.

Not yet seen a midwife? We offer full antenatal check-ups at any point in pregnancy. Not sure how your last birth might affect this one? Discuss your previous birth experiences with a compassionate and knowledgeable professional. Our one-day antenatal classes provide a thorough overview of labour, birth and the first days with your baby. After your birth, we offer postnatal check-ups including breastfeeding support.

Who are we?

The Midwives Clinic was founded by Melissa Coyne, BA, DipHE, PG Cert, a midwife working in north London. Melissa originally trained as a biologist; for several years she worked with environmental research organisations near Boston, USA, volunteering in the evenings in a home for pregnant teenagers. After moving to the UK in the late 1990s, she combined her love of science and healing with her passion for women’s issues and trained as a midwife.

Melissa has worked in NHS community services, hospitals and birth centres, and also with women planning home births, as an independent midwife. In her practice she has helped hundreds of families through pregnancy, birth and the first few months of parenthood. She combines a strong, quiet belief in the divinity of human life, with a practical down-to-earth understanding of the processes of childbirth.

Over her years in practice, Melissa has come to value the benefits that continuity of care with a known and trusted midwife give to the pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience. NHS maternity services seem less able to provide this continuity as time goes on. Whilst full care with an independent midwife can be an expensive option for many families, a combined approach enables families to choose the timing and content of their care, whilst still making use of what their local NHS can offer – so the Midwives Clinic was born.

You can access the Midwives Clinic at any point in your pregnancy and return with your baby for follow-on care. You may have as many appointments as you wish, so control of your care remains firmly in your hands.

What is a Midwife?
According to the International Confederation of Midwives,

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practise midwifery. The International Confederation of Midwives believes that a midwife offers care based on a philosophy, which influences the model of care.

Here is the International Confederation of Midwives’ description of the midwifery model of care:

As midwives we believe that:

1. Childbearing is a profound experience, which carries significant meaning to the woman, her family and the community.

2. Birth is a normal physiological process.

3. Midwives are the most appropriate care providers to attend women during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.

4. Midwifery care empowers women to assume responsibility for their health and for the health of their families.

5. Midwifery care takes place in partnership with women and is personalised, continuous and non-authoritarian.

6. Midwifery care combines art and science. Midwifery care is holistic in nature, grounded in an understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological and physical experiences of women and based upon the best available evidence.

7. Midwives have confidence and trust in, and respect for women and their capabilities in childbirth.

8. The woman is the primary decision-maker in her care and she has the right to information that enhances her decision-making abilities.

As a result:

1. Midwifery care promotes, protects and supports women’s reproductive rights and respects ethnic and cultural diversity.

2. Midwifery practice promotes and advocates for non-intervention in normal childbirth.

3. Midwifery practice builds women’s self confidence in handling childbirth.

4. Midwives use technology appropriately and effect referral in a timely manner when problems arise.

5. Midwives offer anticipatory and flexible care.

6. Midwives provide women with appropriate information and advice in a way that promotes participation and facilitates informed decision making.

7. Midwifery care maintains trust and mutual respect between the midwife and the woman.

8. Midwifery care actively promotes and protects women’s wellness and enhances the health status of the baby.

Insurance

The Midwives Clinic offer antenatal care, postnatal care and antenatal education, all of which is covered by the Royal College of Nursing’s professional indemnity insurance.

Regulation and Training

Midwifery is one of the most closely regulated professions in the UK. Every practicing midwife must be a graduate of a recognised midwifery training programme; today this training takes place 50% in universities and 50% in NHS teaching hospitals and community midwifery practices, and lasts 3 or 4 years in a full-time course.

Midwives are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), whose remit is to protect the public while promoting high standards of care. UK midwives are trained and must work within the NMC’s standards for proficiency, and rules and standards for practice, all of which can be found on the NMC website.

In addition, practicing midwives must have a named supervisor of midwives with whom they meet yearly to review their practice and identify training needs. Practicing midwives attend yearly updates in childbirth emergencies, adult and neonatal resuscitation and basic life support, and have their equipment and training record checked on a yearly basis by their supervisor of midwives.